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Case studies

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District

As part of Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District Project Clear, MSD’s Consent Decree with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Missouri Coalition for the Environment, MSD will spend $100 million in rainscaping investments over a period of 23 years, with an overall goal of reducing combined sewer overflows to the Mississippi River. The Rainscaping Large Scale Grants Program offers private landowners a per-acre reimbursement for installing green infrastructure, and through an innovative partnership with a mission-driven project developer, Greenprint Partners, MSD is able to deliver funding to institutional ratepayers located in lower-income areas of the St. Louis. These projects drive more equitable distribution of grant funds and while helping prevent combined sewer overflows.

Project at a Glance

Utility Overview

  • Utility: Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District
  • Location: St Louis, MO
  • Population served: 1.3 million
  • Service area: 525 square miles
  • Project Developer: Greenprint Partners
  • Project Proponents: Institutional ratepayers in MSD’s service area

Challenges

  • Combined sewer overflows
  • Aging water infrastructure
  • Need to motivate private property owners and equitably build resilient solutions

Solution

  • Institutional ratepayer and vacant lot participation in MSD’s Rainscaping Large Scale Grants Program to install green infrastructure on their private property and bring multiple benefits to vulnerable communities.

Program costs and funding sources

  • Total project cost: $2.4 million
  • Funding sources: Rainscaping Large Scale Grants Program

Benefits of Greenprint's Green Infrastructure Projects in St. Louis

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Making visible investments in the property that drive economic development
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Adding community gathering spaces to support commitments to diversity and inclusion
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Increasing access to green spaces that encourage tenants to interact with nature
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Creating green space for the surrounding communities
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Increasing community pride through placemaking
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Enhancing community health by encouraging active living

Check out WaterNow’s Tap into Resilience Toolkit to learn even more about investing in localized solutions like St. Louis’s in your community.

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